Punjab down Chargers

Shaun Marsh © Getty Images

Shaun Marsh and Kumar Sangakkarra both struck half-centuries as Kings XI Punjab heaped more misery on Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League.

The Australian plundered 60 off 46 balls and the Sri Lankan 50 off 25 as Punjab recorded a six-wicket win.

The IPL’s second-placed side - whose place in the semi-finals had already been secured - reached their 176-run victory target with just three balls to spare to finish on 178 for four.

Rohit Sharma (50 off 27) and Adam Gilchrist (50 off 42) had earlier helped Deccan to 175 for four.

Sangakkarra set about the run chase in explosive fashion, racking up nine boundaries and averaging two runs a ball before he was caught by Chamara Silva off Rohit Sharma.

Fellow opener Marsh was rather more sedate, taking 40 deliveries to reach his half-century, before eventually holing out to Herschelle Gibbs.

Yuvraj Singh (17) and Luke Pomersbach (13) came and went quickly, but Mahela Jayawardene (14) and Piyush Chawla (16), who claimed a six apiece off Scott Styris in the penultimate over, saw the hosts home.

Having been put in to bat by Punjab, opening pair Gilchrist and Gibbs put on 79 for the first wicket as Deccan looked to salvage some pride from a desperate tournament.

The South African was especially aggressive, bludgeoning three sixes and as many fours on his way to 44 off before he attempted one big swing too many and was bowled by Gagandeep Singh.

Gilchrist then played onto his own stumps from Ramesh Powar minutes after bringing up his third IPL half-century.

It was Sharma who really looked to take the innings by the scruff of the neck though, sending four maximums hurtling into the stands.

His whirlwind knock was ended by Vikram Singh before Silva added 23 runs from just 10 balls at the death, but they proved to be in a losing cause.